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Luis Gonzalez grew up in Culver City, California after his widowed mother of three fled Communist Cuba in the late 1960’s. Though he quickly assimilated into his new country and culture, and though he had no trouble mastering his new language, Cuba never left him. Cuba was always with him: inside him, driving him, calling him. He realized this more than ever when, in the 6th grade, he did his country report on Cuba and thus began a love affair with his homeland that continues to this day. It was only natural that Cuba should play a part in his writing, and even from grammar school age, Luis Gonzalez knew that writing was in his blood.

“I always loved to write, even as a young child, I guess I’ve always been an indie author because when I was in the third grade, after only having been in this country a couple of years, I wrote two stories. One was called The Magic Slippers, the other “The Dolphins.” I took sheets of paper that I folded over and stapled and not only did I write the stories, but I illustrated them and made the cover and everything for them. I still have these two first books of mine and I look back on them now and wonder, wow, I really always was a writer. To this day those two items remain some of my most treasured possessions for they provide a glimpse into the passion that helped shape the person that I am, and if I’m anything, I’m passionate, and if I’m passionate about anything, it’s writing.”

As someone who is deeply moved and inspired by politics and religion and the arts, it was no wonder that he came up with the idea for his novel, Luz, a story that grapples with all three realms. These days Luis Gonzalez calls San Francisco home where he lives with his wife and two of four daughters.

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Victor Cegarra works with a variety of artists, musicians, recording, performing in concerts at small and large venues in the USA as well as abroad. Born in Venezuela, at the age of 7, Victor studied the “cuatro” (a Venezuelan guitar with only 4 strings) Later, he studied guitar basics for some time and moved on to his first piano lessons at the age of 9. At age 13 he went yet to Lino Gallardo National Conservatory of Music to study complementary piano. Once in college, his piano instructors, Olegario Diaz and Marcus Vinicio da Fonceca introduced Cegarra to jazz and Brazilian music. Other Latin styles were self-taught as he was an avid listener of salsa, cumbia, merenge and other popular genres. The next few years Victor became involved with other musicians and performed a variety of styles ranging from American Pop, Latin, and Jazz. After performing, recording, and some light touring, he shared his knowledge of music by educating others. First, as a piano instructor for the Torrance Dept of Parks & Recreation, teaching children and adults. Later, as a regular Elementary School Teacher for the LA Unified School District where he has been teaching since July 1998. In June 2001 Cegarra obtained a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from The California State University at Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. In early 2003 he partnered with Gilberto Torres and released his first solo project a piano and flute duo, performing traditional Venezuelan tunes with influences of Jazz and Classical Styles called “Venezuela Desde Afuera” Today, you will find Victor Cegarra performing alongside well known and talented Cuban singer Candi Sosa, also with Gilberto Torres and other LA Musicians, performing in concerts, private events, clubs and restaurants while continuing to produce and record music at his home studio.

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LAURIE’S STORY: On Wed, Dec. 4, 1974, beautiful 17-year-old blond blue-eyed Laurie Partridge, left Ferris High School about 12:30 p.m. She had cramps and wanted to leave early. With no one available to give her a ride, she decided to walk the two-plus miles to her house in the 5400 block of South Custer Street, where she lived with her parents and five younger siblings. She was reported missing after she never showed up at home or for work that evening at Lincoln Heights Theater. The last location she was seen was walking south on Havana between 43rd and 49th avenues. Laurie had two beach boy concert tickets in her purse that her father had bought her, later it was discovered someone used the tickets… But authorities were unable to determine who. She was a beautiful girl with her whole life ahead of her. She loved Jesus and children and playing music on her guitar. She was engaged to a 20-year-old man and they had planned to pick out engagement rings the next day. They were planning on a large family with many kids. At school she worked for the high school newspaper and was on the drill team. She has also formerly lived in Fountain Valley, California with her family. She was very much loved by her family and when she was abducted it tore her family apart. Laurie’s sister’s DNA has been submitted to build a genetic profile in hope of identifying her. Three suspects were questioned by detectives; including serial killer Ted Bundy. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the resolution of Laurie’s disappearance, the reward is being offered by Officials of the Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation. She has a brown mole on her right cheek. Clothing: She was wearing a long, navy blue coat with a hood. A tan v-neck sweater and burgundy/tan plaid pants. Her shoes were faded blue oxford denim with a crepe sole. She carried a brown leather purse with a blue flower design and a braided shoulder strap.